2. Video

3. Discussion notes

Starter for Ten’ Question – to introduce the holy habit and get everyone talking

• “Fasting is intentionally depriving ourselves of an appetite in order to focus on God and to increase our appetite for Him.” What are some of the appetites that exist in the world and in our lives today?

Looking at the Bible – to see what God says about this holy habit

• Read Matthew 4:1-4 in the Bible and briefly summarise what it tells us about fasting.

• Read Matthew 6:16-18 in the Bible and briefly summarise what it tells us about fasting.

• Read Matthew 9:14-17 in the Bible and briefly summarise what it tells us about fasting.

• What lessons have we learnt from these passages that we can apply to the holy habit of fasting in our own lives?

Discussion Questions – to dig a bit deeper into the holy habit

• This holy habit is often the least used in our spiritual toolbox. Share with one another how you feel about fasting – is it something you engage with? Why or why not? How might it be beneficial in your relationship with God?

• It’s really important to pair fasting with prayer. One way we can do this is to find wisdom from God and guidance for a specific situation by using the hunger to prompt us towards prayer and using the time we would normally eat to be with God. Are there any specific situations or areas in which you want to hear God?

Getting Practical – to put the holy habit into practice in our lives

Pause and ask Holy Spirit to show you how you could practice fasting this week – this may be different for each person. Share with one another so that you can encourage each other in this.

Remember to exercise wisdom and to start with something that is realistic for you.

Top Tips for Fasting – Charlotte Henard

I recently heard someone describe the last few months as a period of ‘social fasting’ – as millions of us found ourselves confined to our homes and the people that we live with. It occurred to me that when we give up something we want, we often realise what it is that we actually need. For me, lockdown proved that – we gave up some of our physical freedoms and the things that we want, and in doing so many of us realised the value of relationships and the simpler things in life.Fasting, in the biblical sense, is actually quite similar – we give up something we want, in this case often food, and we realise what it is that we actually need. There are many benefits of fasting but the primary one must always be centring ourselves and our dependence upon God.And yet fasting isn’t the easiest of the holy habits – so where do we start? As someone who is on a journey with fasting, here are my top tips:

1 - Know why

Fasting reminds us that we are sustained only by God. It reveals that which controls us and helps keep our life balanced. However, above all, fasting is about being centred on God, just like the early church in Antioch who were ‘worshiping the Lord and fasting’ (Acts 13:2).

2 - Start small

Be sensible and realistic as you begin fasting. If you’ve never fasted before, you probably won’t manage a whole week of it, but start with a regular ‘Daniel fast’ – a fruit juice in the morning, and a vegetable meal in the evening – once a week. Then try a day-long fast, and continue building up from there.

3 - Spend that time with God instead of eating

Fasting isn’t just about not eating, but it’s also about using that time to centre on God. When you’re hungry and lacking energy it can be easy to do nothing, so plan in advance what you will do with the time that you’d usually spend eating. Journal, pray, read the Bible, serve someone else…

4 - Drink water

In the Bible the usual means of fasting is abstaining from food, but not from water. Drink plenty of water during your fast – carrying a water bottle around with you is advisable.

5 - Give up caffeine in advance

If you drink a lot of tea or coffee, you will notice it when you stop. This may mean that you get a headache or shivers or other physical effects. Being hungry and having caffeine withdrawal is really hard, especially if fasting is new to you. Give up caffeine a few days in advance so that you don’t face the withdrawal and hunger double whammy!

6 -Think about others

Food often brings people together, so consider how fasting will affect others. Let them know in advance if you won’t be eating when you meet up with them or if you won’t be able to have lunch/dinner with them.

7 - Comb your hair and wash your face

In the Bible Jesus says (in Matthew 6:16-18) that when we fast we shouldn’t make it obvious, but we should comb our hair and wash our face. Don’t boast about fasting, only tell those who need to know. After all, fasting is about your relationship with God and humility is key.

8 - Fast with someone else

Sometimes we can be more motivated when we fast with another person – a friend, partner or even our community group. Perhaps choose one area to all pray into and seek God’s direction on and/or join together for times of worship instead of eating.

9 - Don’t be discouraged

You may feel like nothing is happening as a result of your fasting. Many people experience breakthroughs after fasting. Whatever happens, we can be confident that God rewards those who fast (Matthew 6:18) and that there is always value in centring ourselves on Jesus.

10 - Break your fast gently

If you’ve not eaten for a prolonged period of time, you will need to break your fast by eating something light and easy to digest, no matter how hungry you might be.
I hope that you find these tips helpful, and that as you fast and give up what you want, you will become even more aware of God as the one that we really need.

We’d encourage you to watch the video together online, discuss the questions, and read the blog post in order to go deeper.

It might look something like this:

• 7:30pm: Saying hi and catching up

• 7:45pm: Watch the teaching video

• 8:00pm: ‘Starter for Ten’ question

• 8:10pm: Look up the Bible passage and discuss

• 8:30pm: Discussion questions

• 8:45pm: Practice the holy habit and/or make plans for how you can do that this week

• 9:00pm: Say your goodbyes – see you next week!

• Don’t forget to begin by debriefing next week!

We know that every group is different, so feel free to do this in a way that works for you.

Not part of a community but want to join the journey? We’d love to hear from you and help you be part of the family! Email Charlotte on charlotte.henard@wellsheffield.com.

If you’re a community leader and have questions or need technological help, get in touch and we’ll see what we can do!

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